ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

Destination Unknown is Blinded Rain´s second album whose dark tempting tunes and heavy rocking riffs welcome you to the journey. The powerful sound and great melodies are inviting to the world of unreal and real – who are you and who you were ? Kaisa Saari´s visit on the album background vocals brings beautiful nuances to the twilight and the journey goes on…

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9.5/10
www.metallinks.nl (Netherlands)
…already can tell that this cd will be one of the highlights of 2008. The mix between Hardrock, Dark Metal and some Gothic influences are amazing…
-Ronnie K-

90/100
www.lordsofmetal.nl (Netherlands)
... I can describe this album in a short, clear language; it's heavy gothic rock with male vocals and it's an album that's very fine to listen to. Blinded Rain is a great band in its genre...A surprising release from the basis of Finland and you should buy this one for sure!
-Kim-

8/10
www.hardrockhaven.net (USA)

From Helsinki comes another ridiculously talented metal band, Blinded Rain. Their music is akin to what their countrymen H.I.M. create, but it’s heavier, and leans closer to Type O’ Negative at times due to the Sabbathy guitar rhythms. While just a three-man act, Blinded Rain covers all bases with Kaide playing guitars and keyboards while providing lead vocals; Gunther playing bass; and Leonard slaying the drums. Reviews from Europe are already praising this band, and they should do just as well Stateside, if not better.

Eerie keys and a massive riff open the album on “Sandcastle Star,” and the band has become heavier on each of their releases. Vocally, Kaide sings with a lower register, throaty and pure, much like H.I.M. Kaide’s guitar leads are searing, and the song builds momentum all the way through, as the keys make you feel like you are listening to the soundtrack of a horror movie. Kaide is an impressive musician, especially hearing the frantic guitar solo accompany the equally pummeling keyboard solo.

“In the Black Veil of Twilight” has a Power Metal groove to it, especially with the band singing “Demons! Demons!” to start the track. The female backing vocals from Kaisa Saari add an atmospheric and serenely melodic element to the song. The chorus is massive and almost orchestral. This is completely different than the opening song but just as good, if not better.

You’ll get a melodious keyboard composition on “Last Dance ‘Til Dawn.” Kaide’s vocals shine, and especially in Europe, this could be a Top 10 hit for the band. Europeans seem to understand that being able to carry a tune is a talent, not something to scoff at.

“The Only Truth” is another commendable track on Destination Unknown. This is one of the few times where Kaide stretches his vocals to the limit, both on the gruff and the higher end. Although a bit more chaotic than the other tracks, it’s still polished. It’s really the pacing of the chorus that amazes here, with a build-up and vocal key change that allows Kaide to nearly scream, except, he’s always in control of his vocals and never ruins a note on the entire CD.

Another hit song for Blinded Rain could be “Romance the Cruelty.” It may be a tad unfair to keep comparing them to H.I.M., but it’s not like The 69 Eyes have a completely different vocal style either. Regardless, all three bands are immensely talented, although in the same vocal arena. This is another one of those tracks where Saari adds a beautiful atmosphere to the song with her adept vocals.

So, Finland can keep claiming bragging rights as the country per capita with the best bands and musicians, because Blinded Rain is another superior group. Whatever’s in the frozen rainwater in Finland, everyone should be lucky enough to drink it.
-Derrick Miller-

4/5
www.desibeli.net (Finland)
…(Sandcastle Star) the magnificent example of the best characteristics of band. The catchy melody and the successful combination of modern metal and rock elements including a bit of pop shades and powerful sounds…
-Mika Roth-

8/10
www.Tinnitus-Mag.de (Germany):
...Destination Unknown CD worked very well throughout the album...
-Thomas Droste-

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BLINDED RAIN BIO

The story of Blinded Rain (Helsinki-Joutsa/Finland) began in 2004 when Kaide found himself wondering what to do with the bunch of songs he had written. Songs did not fit to the style of existing band and after a few seconds thinking the answer was clear - it was time to do something new. As the outcome the first line-up of Blinded Rain (Kaide, Tapsu on drums, J. Partanen on bass) was recording the first Blinded Rain album Time ? already in the beginning of 2005 (released 2005-10-14). The existing Blinded Rain line-up saw daylight in January 2006 (Leonard on drums, Günther on bass). New line-up started rehearsing for gigs and played the first gig in Rock-Korjaamo Metal Fest in Mikkeli in Finland on the 8th of August 2006. Blinded Rain was also writing new material and noticed soon that the music was spontaneously moving to a bit heavier direction.

Band was very satisfied with the new songs that arised and decided to enter the Sundicoop studio in Savonlinna for recording Vampire MCD. MCD was recorded, mixed and mastered by Tuomo Valtonen in September-October 2006 and it was released on the 13th of December 2006. Vampire MCD contained 5 songs which opened a lot of new doors to the band and brought a bunch of new fans around the world. After the release Blinded Rain played some gigs and started writing new material to the next full-length album.

Band decided again to record the music in Sundicoop studio with Tuomo Valtonen. Recordings and mixing were ready in February 2008 and the album was mastered at Finnvox Studios by Mika Jussila. Kaisa Saari (Tarujen Saari) has been singing female bg. vocals on Blinded Rain´s previous releases. This time you will hear her voice also in a duet with Kaide (9th track Romance In The Cruelty). The tracks of Destination Unknown were in pre-play in Radio FMR´s Nocturnal Tears Metal Show in France and premiere in Finland was done by Radio Rock. Destination Unknown was released on the 23rd of April 2008 and the release gig took place at ”On The Rocks”-club in Helsinki/Finland at the same day.

"Destination Unknown" is the sophomore album of the Finnish band Blinded Rain. Let me tell you, Finland really has some great gothic metal bands and Blinded Rain is one of the best I have ever heard. When I first listened to this album I thought "this is exactly how I like to hear gothic metal". Vocalist Kaide has what I like to think of as the perfect vocals for a gothic metal band, deep and powerful and oh so easy to listen to. Personally, I believe the production on this album is very, very well done. The guitars, bass and drumming are excellent. I'm not a huge fan of keyboards but on this album they are not the main focus and here the keys actually provide for a great atmospheric feel and make the songs so much better. Female backing vocals are present in a few songs and add to the great atmosphere of this album as well. I love every song on this album but the most standout track for me would be the last track, Goodbye the Dreamer. It's one of those songs that mingles around in your head for long after you've heard it. When the album is finished playing I immediately want to listen to it again. I really can't say this for alot of albums in my collection. Am I picky? Damn right I am! I think I own only a handful of albums that make me want to listen to them twice (or more) in a row and "Blinded Rain - Destination Unknown" is certainly one of them. This album is definitely going to be in my Top 5 albums for 2008.